Radial Trenching

CS Tree Services provides radial trenching as another means of rejuvenating poor soils in the root zones of trees. Radial trenching is achieved through the use of a high-pressure air spade. The air spade will blow existing soil away from roots, without damaging them. Typically, soil is removed in trench lines, radiating out from the truck of the tree, hence the name, radial trenching.

Trench lines are then filled with a rich organic material (i.e. compost & mulch). This organic material is then slowly incorporated into the soil. This helps provide soil aeration to allow more oxygen and water to be available in the soil for the roots. It also provides food for many beneficial organisms, as well as good food for the tree roots.

Usually the critical root zone area of the tree is then covered with a nice layer of mulch, to help with temperature regulation, moisture content, and continued incorporation of organic material into the soil for the roots. Many times, though, radial trenching is done under a layer of sod, which is then replaced on top of the amended soil trenches.

Radial trenching is also very useful for installing water lines, electrical, lines, cable lines, etc. that need to pass through the root zone of tree. A trench can be excavated through the root zone, without damaging the roots, and then utilities can be laid under or through the root zone. This is a much better option to critically injuring a tree's roots and perhaps causing structural damage that could lead to a tree falling over or dying. Remember, a trench laid relatively close to a tree can sever almost half of a trees roots.